Titania: Good morning, RM. Today's your first day as a professional soldier, isn't it?
RM: Yeah, and I'm ready to go.
Greil: What you are is late. The others were suited up and ready at the break of dawn.
RM: Sorry. I'll get up earlier from now on. So, what's my first job?
Greil: I'm talking with Titania right now. Wait outside until we're done.
RM: Yes, sir.
(RM leaves.)
Titania: Very well, Commander Greil, shall we continue?
Greil: You were telling me about some bandits that needed taking care of, weren't you?
Titania: Correct. The request comes from a nearby village. According to our reports, the bandits are not all that strong. I think it best if I ride out and take a look. I plan on taking Oscar and Boyd along with me.
Greil: Just the brothers? Hm. Go ahead and add RM to your team. Shinon, Gatrie, and I can handle the other two jobs easily enough. Titania, I'm leaving RM in your care. I'm trusting you to show him the ropes.
Titania: Understood, Commander.
(Greil leaves.)
Titania: Come on, RM. Let's get you set up.
RM: All right...My first job.
(Titania and RM go outside, and are greeted by Oscar and Boyd.)
Oscar: Captain Titania. Preparations are complete, and I'm ready to go.
Titania: Impeccable timing. It's nice to know we can always count on you to be at the ready, Oscar.
Boyd: Don't forget about me! I'm ready for action!
Titania: Is that so, Boyd? That's a surprise.
Boyd: Ha! Not today it isn't. As of today, I am going to be the absolute model of perfection. I need to set a good example for RM!
RM: I'll take your word for it.
Oscar: Your first campaign at last. I know you've wanted this for a while. Are you nervous, RM?
RM: I think I was more nervous last night. I could hardly sleep. This morning, I'm feeling pretty good. It's the calm before the storm.
Oscar: You should try to relax. You're not going to be out there alone.
RM: Yeah, you're right.
Titania: Right. Everyone ready? Let's go.
(Caldea.)
Titania: This is the village of Caldea. The bandits are few, but we mustn't get careless. Our goal is to take out the bandit leader in front of the large building, and then secure that building.
Boyd: RM! Listen up! All this stuff is old news to me, but I can give a rookie like you a few tips. First off, don't let yourself get worked up and jump out in front of everyone. You'll just end up getting hurt.
Oscar: Don't try to do too much, RM. When things get dangerous, you can-and should-rely on us. As long as you watch how the enemy moves carefully, you'll be fine. Think of this as a training mission.
RM: I'll do that. Oscar, Boyd, thanks for your help.
Oscar: Don't mention it.
Boyd: Just sit back and watch how a professional handles things!
Titania: Enough chitchat, you three! We've got work to do!
(A Battle begins. 1 minutes passes.)
Zawana: What's going on out there? Is that some sort of army? Pah. A bunch of mercenaries looking for their next meal. The villagers must've hired 'em. Listen up, lads! Hurt 'em, and hurt 'em bad! We let this bunch live, and we'll have hordes of hired swords hounding us the rest of our days!
Bandit: It's those fool villagers... They think they can buy a bunch of sellswords to chase us away. It ain't gonna work out how they wanted. All they get for their trouble is a bunch of ruined houses. Tear'em down, boys! That'll teach 'em!
(The bandit destroys the top right house. A few minutes pass. The enemies destroy all the houses.)
Bandit: My work here is done. This house is totalled! Time to move on to bigger things. Now, I smash me some mercenaries.
(A few minutes pass. Titania approaches one of the enemies. Titania and that enemy fight. A few minutes pass. The enemy defeats Titania.)
Titania: Despite my own warnings, I let my guard down, and I got beaten. Ha ha...urgh...
RM: Titania, you shouldn't move.
(A few minutes pass. Oscar approaches Zawana.)
Zawana: You looking for something, fool? You looking for a fight? Heh heh... You came to the right place. I'll give you a tussle!
(Oscar and Zawana fight. A few minutes pass. RM approaches Zawana.)
Zawana: Hey, you're nothing but a boy. Well, every brat needs a beating now and then. Are you ready for it?
RM: Not today. If you want to run away, now's your chance.
Zawana: Heh heh heh. Imagine that, you sassing me. Don't that beat all?
(RM and Zawana fight. A few minutes pass. RM defeats Zawana.)
Zawana: I...I'm meant for better than this...I don't want to die here...
(A few minutes pass. RM Seizes the gate and ends the battle.)
Titania: That's the end of it. RM, are you all right?
RM: Yeah, I'll be fine.
Titania: I...was lucky. I doubt if I'll ever be able to fight as well again, but...at least I'm still alive.
RM: ...It's better than nothing.
Titania: You know, you surprised me. To think that you've come so far.
RM: Look at my father, though. I've still got such a long way to go.
Titania: There's nothing you can do about that. After all, Commander Greil is-
RM: Huh? What about my father?
Titania: Oh, nothing.
RM: "Nothing"? Now I'm really curious.
Titania: Don't worry. You'll learn all about it someday.
RM: ...
Oscar: Captain! RM, I'm going on ahead to take Captain Titania back to the base. Boyd, will the two of you be all right?
Boyd: Yeah, don't worry about us. Just take care of the captain!
Oscar: Look after my horse!
RM: I can't believe it...Captain Titania got beaten.
Boyd: No matter how strong you are, the smallest opening can cost you your life. Did you see that wound? I bet she'll never be able to fight again. Curse those bandits!
RM: Titania...